Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Where can I learn more about Linux?

Q. I'm only in high school, but I'd really like to learn more about Linux, specifically securing servers, networking, and command line stuff. It's hard for me to learn on my own. Books are helpful but I'm looking for more of a classroom environment with other people I can work with.

My school does not offer any classes in Linux.

A. http://www.ubuntu.com/

It doesn't get any simpler. And, of course, there's Linux for Dummies at your local bookstore, the For Dummies series of books runs around $20 each and is usually the best bet when starting to learn from scratch.

And there's probably a Linux user group in your town -- Google it.

Best programming language and software to learn first?
Q. Hey all.

I have no experience with programming, but I'd say I know a decent amount about computers and how they work, and I on them quite a bit. I really want to learn how to program and write code.

What's the best language and software to start from? Any good tutorial books to go along with this? Like a Dummies guide to C++ or something?

Thanks.

A. Well there is a "C++ for Dummies" book out there (as well as an "More C++ for Dummies")...

Your question is a difficult one, as it very much depends on what you intend to program... and if you're willing to learn some extra languages just to learn good practice or a concept.

For general-purpose programming I would recommend C++, but be sure to also learn some of the "pure C" (structured) part of the language before you start in on object-oriented (or you could learn C first). There is a short way from C to C++... and a short way from C++ to Java or C# ; so it's an excellent start.

That said, if you have the time, starting with Pascal (which admittedly is on the endangered-list as far as programming-languages goes) will force you to learn good programming practices -- like that all parts of a program (constants, declarations, functions) have their place, and always declaring before using -- which you can take with you to other languages (or not). Naturally it also introduces branches, loops, functions/procedures, types, pointers and object-orienting. The Pascal language is also used in Borland Delphi, which let you make Windows-program (it's similar to VisualBasic, but uses Pascal instead of BASIC).

If you really want to sink your teeth into the beauty of Object-Orienting, I would suggest trying SmallTalk to really understand the concept of OO -- before you dirty yourself with one of the "lesser" OO-langauges; like C++, C# or Java (C++ is basically C with some OO glued on top of it. C# and Java are both heavely influenced by C++, and carries some "bad things" because of this. SmallTalk on the other hand, is all OO... even the language itself consist of objects in a well-defined hierachy).

+++

If you intend to make programs for MS Windows only, C# is excellent.

If you want a RAD (Rapid Application Development, where you first create the window with it's widgets, and then assign small programs for what will happen when the widgets are manipulated), then Delphi and the simpler (and more primitive) VisualBasic are good for making Windows-programs.

If you intend to program GUI-programs for different platforms or for Linux/Unix, then the Qt-library and it's RAD -- Qt-Designer -- may be worth a try. This is a C++ library (ie. extension), so you program in C++.

Java also let you make GUI (Windows-like) applications that can run on different platforms, but they tend to be a bit "sluggish".

+++

If you're thinking more of making small usefull scripts to help system administration; Perl and Python -- and perhaps Tcl/Tk and Ruby -- are better suited.

If you're thinking about application for web; Java and JavaScript are good for the client side... while Perl, PHP or ASP -- together with SQL -- is good for making programs to run on the server-side.

If you're thinking about Artificial Intelligence and making programs that makes conjunctions based on a list of facts and a set of rules; then LISP or Prolog may be languages you shold look at.

+++

As I said it depends on what you want to program. But the best for all-purpose programming is probably C++... maybe together with Qt to make better Windows/GUI programs.

Which is the best book for beginners to start learning Linux from basic commands covering all aspects?
Q. like partition table, Quota Management User & Group ,using Editors like VI. Installing Linux through different methods NFS, FTP installing RPM Packages installing services like YUM, Samba, Apache & using them & slowly advancing to newer topics

A. Linux for Dummies

(not joking)



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